Through two games to start his Tennessee career, new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is showing exactly why he was a home-run offseason hire by Josh Heupel. And with that, the biggest beneficiary is true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon? You've got that straight.
In the 45-24 win over Georgia Tech in Week 2 alone, everyone got a close-up look at what Knowles can bring to the table. The game was a bit too close for comfort at times, but Knowles focused on doing something we didn't see much out of former DC Tim Banks last season: in-game adjustments.
Tennessee focused on applying pressure on Alberto Mendoza, taking him out of his game. Why was this big for Brandon on Saturday night in particular? Because instead of the Vols' defense allowing the contest to turn into a shootout, Tennessee was able to just keep pounding the rock, with DeSean Bishop submitting a career-best performance with his 147 yards. Not forcing Brandon to try to play hero ball was huge, and it's only going to keep helping him out moving forward.
Jim Knowles is delivering for Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel
When Georgia Tech pulled the game to 31-17, you don't have to be ashamed of admitting you were starting to get a bit nervous midway through the third quarter. However, outside of a garbage-time touchdown the Vols' defense gave up, the Yellow Jackets were taken out of their game completely. That was on Knowles, who made a big impact in Mendoza, reminding everyone he's not at the same level as his older brother Fernando, last year's Heisman Trophy winner with Indiana, who's now in the NFL.
All of that opened the door for Brandon to remain calm and not be put in a position where the game was in his hands. While Brandon did finish with two touchdown throws, he was far from his best in the victory. The signal-caller finished 10-of-20 for 148 yards. The same number of completions and incompletions?
That's not going to cut it once SEC play gets here, with No. 1 Texas around the corner on Sept. 26. However, the non-conference slate is the time for the youngster to keep growing and learn from his mistakes. In order for that to happen, he's going to need help from the defense to make plays and keep the opposition from getting into a rhythm.
That's exactly what Knowles managed to accomplish vs. Georgia Tech, particularly in the second half. In Week 3, UT will host Kennesaw State, and a blowout performance is expected. Assuming Tennessee flirts with 50-60 points, Brandon will have his confidence grow, and his chemistry with Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and the rest of his pass-catching group will reach another level.
Then once Texas makes its way to Neyland Stadium, the biggest test of his young career will arrive. It will be on Knowles and his unit to do their best to slow down Arch Manning, which won't be easy at all. Still, Knowles is giving the Tennessee faithful plenty of reasons to believe he can keep growing the defense, which will 100 percent keep taking off pressure and helping out Brandon in a major way.
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